Grateful to give back

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

Krista and Joel Vidrine of Mamou have something to be very thankful for this Thanksgiving. Both of their children, son Blaze (age 7) and daughter Jewel (18 months) are living proof that miracles can happen.
Blaze was born 16 weeks early, at 24 weeks gestation, in Lafayette General Medical Center (LGMC) on June 11, 2008. Krista says the staff went above and beyond their duties to help their son survive. One of the pediatric NICU nurses put them in touch with the March of Dimes; and now, thanks to their help, he is a thriving, active typical seven-year old boy.
Daughter Jewel also was born early, at 36 weeks, on May 12, 2014. Patrice Webb, the NICU director of nursing, and other staff members at LGMC remembered the family from Blaze’s birth and once again put them in touch with the local March of Dimes.
Krista recalls, “Sharon Davis (Acadiana March of Dimes director) told me the Acadiana March of Dimes was looking for a local ambassador family from LGMC and she nominated us.” She continues, “We were extremely honored to be nominated as the local March of Dimes ambassador for the year.” She also noted that normally, a family from Womens and Children’s Hospital is chosen because of their affiliation with the March of Dimes, however, they had a hard time finding an ambassador family from that hospital this year, so they were chosen from the LGMC family.
As ambassadors, the Vidrine family will represent the Acadiana March of Dimes for one year at various events. The family recently donned their 1920s finest to attend the special March of Dimes Roaring 20s Gala held October 21, at the Petroleum Club in Lafayette. At the gala, Blaze, dressed as a “newsie,” addressed the crowd at the gala as part of his ambassador duties. Proud mom Krista says he did well and all four of them had a great time at the event. The family also will participate in the annual March of Dimes walk, which will be held May 2, 2016, in Girard Park in Lafayette.
Krista proclaims, “We definitely plan to stay involved with the March of Dimes and give back in any way we can. We plan on participating in the race each year to help raise funds locally for the March of Dimes, but I would also love to do more.” She adds, “The LGMC NICU is family to us and we have several NICU reunions. I am so grateful to the LGMC staff and the March of Dimes for everything they have done for us and our children.”